SSE Renewables has reached a pivotal moment by finalizing the investment decision to embark on the construction of a cutting-edge 150MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Warrington, Cheshire. The selected site is the former location of the Fiddler's Ferry coal-fired power station, a facility previously owned and operated by SSE until its decommissioning in March 2020, culminating in the recent demolition of its iconic cooling towers.
This latest BESS project, marking the fourth of its kind to secure a final investment decision from SSE Renewables, adds a substantial 150MW/300MWh to the grid-scale battery capacity. With this development, the total megawatts of battery storage projects currently in the construction phase under SSE Renewables' purview now stands at an impressive 670MW.
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Leveraging the existing grid connection already in place at the Fiddler's Ferry site, the battery storage facility is poised to become a pivotal asset in the region. Once completed, it will have the capacity to operate for up to two hours at a stretch, contributing significantly to the stability and reliability of the energy grid.
Finlay McCutcheon, Director of Onshore Renewables at SSE Renewables, expressed enthusiasm about the decision, stating, “Taking a final investment decision at Fiddler's Ferry is a fantastic way to round off a big year for our solar and battery business. We now have 670MW of battery projects in the UK that are in the construction phase, which is a significant increase from where we were twelve months ago.”
McCutcheon acknowledged the critical role of battery storage in the broader context of decarbonization efforts in the UK and Ireland, crediting the project team for achieving this significant milestone at Fiddler's Ferry. This announcement underscores SSE Renewables' commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and contributing to the evolving landscape of renewable energy infrastructure.
